Kenya
The Republic of Kenya " with its fabulous game, interesting tribes and surreal landscapes - is the quintessential Africa of wildlife documentaries and the home of the safari.
It is everything you imagine Africa to be, with vast plains covered in thousands of wildebeest and gazelle, cheetah sitting on termite mounds, lions flat on their backs in the sun and giraffe in the shade of flat-topped acacias. This is the country of Out of Africa, Born Free and Big Cat Diary, where the colourful jewellery of the Maasai and Turkana people represents their bubbling culture.
In terms of the facts, Kenya is a country in Eastern Africa, bordered by Ethiopia to the north, Somalia to the east, Tanzania to the south, Uganda to the west, and Sudan to the northwest, with the Indian Ocean, and many stunning beaches, running along the southeast border. It has a population of 38 million with many different ethnic groups, the most populous being the Kikuyu, the Luhya and the Kalenjin.
From the coast the low plains rise to central highlands, which in turn are bisected by the Great Rift Valley; a fertile plateau in the west. The Kenyan Highlands comprise one of the most successful agricultural production regions in Africa. The highlands are the site of the highest point in Kenya (and the second highest in Africa): Mount Kenya, which reaches 5,199 metres (17,057 ft).
Kenya is everything you want Africa to be, at its most beautiful and romantic.
Wild Frontiers offers unique Tailor Made Safari Holidays and Private Journeys to Kenya.
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Float above the Masai Mara
Masai Mara
A great way to gain a new perpective on the vast Mara plains is by taking an early morning balloon safari. The open savannah landscape allows the animals to be spotted from the air and viewed from a altitude of several thousand feet, the scenery is simply breathtaking. Flames from the hot air balloon burners light the darkness as the crews inflate the craft before sunrise. The first, pink tongues of sunlight flicker across the skies as the hot air balloon fills, then rises and before you know it you're. suspended in a basket beneath the rainbow-coloured canopy with your fellow adventurers. What amazes most first-time balloonists is the absolute stillness: the silence as you float above the plains, the forest and the rivers of the Masai Mara.The flight lasts an hour or so, drifting wherever the air currents take you and once back on terra firma, the flight is celebrated with a champagne bush breakfast, cooked on the balloons burners, before you take a leisurely game drive back to your camp.
Bi-plane over the Savannah
Laikipia
'I had a farm in Africa' - so Karen Blixen began her classic 'Out of Africa' and, after the movie, memories of Robert Redford and old-fashioned bi-planes roar into instant view. If you want a touch of romance & filmstar travel it's here, but what you really get, beyond the joy of flying, and feeling the hot African wind in your hair, are the most astounding views of the great plains with wild animals roaming free below you. Among the cannon shot clouds, Kenya is laid out like a magic carpet, on which range giraffe, antelope, zebra, lion, elephant and the endangered white rhino.
Conquer Mount Kenya
Laikipia
When thinking of Africa's greats climbs, most think Kilimanjaro first, however at Wild Frontiers we prefer Mount Kenya. It may be a fraction less high than its illustrious 'neighbour', however it is a beautiful climb through varied ecostems and awe-inspiring scenery and it's easier to get away from the crowds. With Wild Frontiers you can embark on a 4 - 7 day adventure depending on the route chosen for the ascent. You'll be accompanied by an experience guide, as well as a cook and porters so all you have to do is enjoy magnificent scenery.
Count flamingos on Lake Nakuru
Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru
Enjoy a full day game-drive in Nakuru National Park in the Rift Valley and witness the incredible spectacle of thousands of pink lesser flamingos on the vast soda lake. The region supports a population of about one million of the stately, stilt-legged creatures along with 400 types of migratory birds. The splendid wildlife display draws international visitors to what ornithologists call "the most fabulous bird spectacle in the world." Nearby, huge herds of zebra, buffalo, waterbuck, hyena, gazelle and warthog roam and park is also an important sanctuary for both black and white rhino - easily spotted resting beneath acacia trees while colonies of baboons loiter in the branches above.
Explore Lamu Town
Coastal Kenya
There are no vehicles allowed on Lamu , the oldest Swahili settlement in East Africa, which is one of the reasons it is so good for a real spot of Kenyan R and R. Some visitors are put off by the jumble and rubbish, although a certain daily pungency is inevitable, considering the common mode of transport is by donkey. A UnescoWorld Heritage site, Old Lamu is special for the melange of Arab, African and European influences,seen so vividly in its carved doors,creeking verandas and great fort, now its museum, that gives it a rich history, reminding many of a smaller Zanzibar, and buckets of African charm.
Fly Fish on Mount Kenya
Laikipia
Most often associated with four-legged wildlife, Kenya is also one of Africa's best sportfishing destinations. Lake Rutundu and Lake Alice, are stocked with rainbow trout and provide excellent opportunities for fly-fishing. Here you will get back to nature fishing in peace and quiet in one of the wildest regions of Kenya. For fishing enthusiasts, Kenya's coast also offers some of the best big game fishing in East Africa, so we can arrange a specialist fishing itinerary on request.
Learn bush skills with the Massai
Masai Mara
Ray Meers may have to eat his heart out, but his laudable bush skills have nothing on the tribesmen of the Massai. Although we would not push you as far as Bear Grylls, this is both a lesson in adventure, and man in true and ancient harmony with his environment. Whether it is tracking, navigation on foot, fire craft, or taking animal blood to drink, the Massai have for centuries been both depenedent on and Masters of the Mara. Walk tall with them a while, and take back insights that can be just as prescient and life-changing back home.
Marvel at the Great Migration
Masai Mara
Kenya's Masai Mara is without any question one of Africa's most famous parks. Home to a stunning array and exceptional density of big game, the sheer quantity of wildlife that every game drive throws up is outstanding. For maximum effect, between July to early October, it hosts the famous Great Migration, with millions of wildebeast and hundreds of thousands of accompanying zebra, eland and gazelle completing their epic journey north from the Serengeti to enjoy three months grazing on the vast Mara plains. This is undoubtedly one of nature's most spectacular events and Wild Frontiers know the best spots to experience the Migration in glorious isolation. You'll enjoy guided game-drives in open sided 4x4's on the wildlife filled Mara savannah, surrounded by a sea of grazing animals. Stop for a delicious picnic lunch on the banks of the river whilst hoping to witness an iconic river crossing, when huge herds run the gauntlet, swimming desparately across the crocodile infested waters. Its quite simply mind-blowing!
Ride horses across Laikipia
Laikipia
The Laikipia escarpment is bounded by the wildlife reserves of Lewa Downs and Borana Hills, free ranging wilderness startlingly rich in game. One of the freest and most exciting ways to get into this Kenyan heartland though is on horse back. A touch of heat and dust will be yours at a gallop, but also the sedate grace of moving naturally among wild animals, on an animal yourself, one of the greatest ways to get a vitally connected sensation of a true African Safari.
Visit The Slums Of Kibera
Nairobi
Kibera is Africa's second largest slum. The same size as New York City's Central Park yet with over 1 million people, the population density is 30 times that of New York City. Though most people living in Kibera have little or no access to basic necessities, such as electricity, clean water, toilet facility and sewage disposal, it is an interesting, educational and memorable guided trip, where you encounter more happiness than you would expect.
Walk the North with Samburu
Northern Frontier
A walking safari is the ideal means by which to travel through the foothills of the Mathews Range. Escape the constraints of a vehicle and lose yourself in Kenya's stunning wilds. You'll walk where no car will go, exploring new country every day with camels as our friendly beasts of burden. Your Samburu guide will be fluent in natural history, English, Swahili, Maa, the local culture, giving a unique perspective from where you can see the beauty of northern Kenya through the eyes of some of its people. Day trips can be organised from a number of camps but we love the longer expeditions - 4 or 5 nights adventures which take you far into the wildest regions of Kenya.
Watch baby elephants feeding
Nairobi
A must-do in Nairobi is visit to Daphne Sheldrick's Elephant Orphanage. At her home on the edge of Nairobi National Park, Daphne and her team rehabilitate baby elephants from around Kenya who have lost their mothers to poaching or other tradegy. Each calf, varying from a few months to up to three years, is assisned it's own keeper who acts as a surrogate mother, bottle feeding on demand, until the young elephant is old enough to be released back into the wild. Each day between 11 and 12, lucky visitors can watch the calves being fed as well as learning more about the elephants from their keepers. It's fantastic to see the baby elephants trotting along with floppy trunks and ears and playing in the mud and with a full day in Nairobi, it works well in combination with a visit to the Giraffe Centre, where you can up close to giraffes, and an afternoon shopping for arts and crafts at village market.
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Serian Camp
Masai Mara
This charismatic wilderness camp has a tranquil setting in a secluded valley on the banks of the Mara River,...
The Majlis
Coastal Kenya
The Majlis is a luxury 25 room boutique hotel set on the idyllic Manda Island in the Lamu archipelago on Kenya's...
Kizingo Lodge
Coastal Kenya
This rustic beach lodge is set on dramatic sand dunes on the Northern tip of island of Lamu. It is a secluded escape...
Desert Rose
Northern Frontier
Desert Rose is nestled on the slopes of Mount Nyiru in the far north of Kenya, commanding breathtaking views over the...
Borana Lodge
Laikipia
Set against a backdrop of the snow-tipped peaks of Mount Kenya, Borana is perched on a rocky escarpment on the edge of...
Kicheche Laikipia Camp
Laikipia
Kicheche Laikipia Camp is nestled at the foot of indigenous forest in the heart of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to...
Lemartis Camp
Laikipia
Lemartis Camp offers a truly unique cultural experience giving an authentic insight into ancient tribal customs which...
Sabuk Lodge
Laikipia
Sabuk is remote and beautiful… an alluring haven on the edge of the Northern Frontiers district.Six...
Cottar's 1920'S Camp
Masai Mara
Cottars 1920's Safari Camp, on the edge of the famed Masai Mara Reserve offers Kenya's ultimate 'Out of Africa' safari...
Elsa's Kopje
Meru
Kenya's best kept secret, the untamed wilderness of Meru National Park is best explored from its hidden jewel - Elsa's...
Kicheche Mara Camp
Masai Mara
Kicheche Mara Camp is a charming bush camp hidden in a grove of wild olive trees in a peaceful area of the exclusive...
Naibor Camp
Masai Mara
This romantic tented camp offers a striking combination of contemporary style and comfort, in the heart of Kenya's...
Off Beat Meru Camp
Meru
This small tented camp has a wonderful on the pretty Bisanandi River just outside Meru National Park.6 classic...
Delta Dunes
Coastal Kenya
At the mouth of Kenya's mighty Tana River, Delta Dune lodge sits high atop enormous white sand dunes. Nestled among the...
Loldia House
Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru
Nestled under acacia and wild fig trees on the Western shores of Lake Naivasha, Loldia House is one of Kenya's oldest...
Macushla House
Nairobi
This small property in the leafy suburb of Karen on the outskirts of Nairobi provides the amenities of a hotel yet the...
Msambweni House
Coastal Kenya
This family run property is found in a quiet, unspoilt beach setting surrounded by 28 acres of natural land. The house...
Rhino River Camp
Meru
Rhino River Camp is set on 80 acres of privately owned wilderness with direct access to Meru National Park. This is...
Sasaab Lodge
Samburu
Perched on the high banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River in the heart of cultural Samburu land, Sasaab commands breathtaking...
Tusitiri Dhow
Coastal Kenya
This 65 foot traditional sailing dhow, called by her Swahili ships-name Tusitiri, is similar in design to the wooden...
Sarara Camp
Northern Frontier
Sarara is a magical place situated on 750,000 acres of Namunyak Wildlife Conservation Trust land in Kenya's Northern...
Giraffe Manor
Nairobi
Giraffe Manor is set in 12 acres of private land within 140 acres of indigenous forest and is only 20 kilometres from...
Sosian Lodge
Laikipia
Sosian is a 24,000 acre private ranch in the heart of Laikipia, a vast expanse of wilderness in the heart of Kenya's...
Rutundu Log Cabins
Laikipia
Rutundu log cabins are set off the beaten track on the northern slopes of Mount Kenya in an area of pure wilderness and...
The Norfolk
Nairobi
The Fairmont Norfolk Hotel is one of Nairobi's most exclusive hotels and the traditional starting point for safaris....
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How to book a trip
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Read MoreKenya Travel Guide
Masai Mara
The Masai Mara is Kenya's largest game reserve and is situated in the South West of the country. It is a continuation of the Serengeti National Park game reserve in Tanzania and named after the traditional inhabitants of the area, the Maasai. The park is home to a wide variety of wildlife including all the big five. It is especially well known for its population of big cats and the "Great Migration" - an annual journey of zebra, wildebeest and gazelle which is one of the most spectacular migrations of its kind in the world.
Samburu
The Samburu Reserve stretches stark and rugged towards the Chalbi desert. The country here is empty and wild, a place of baked brown earth and parched vegetation and it is one of Kenya's most rewarding reserves. Running through Samburu, the Ewaso N'giro River is surrounded by a permanent ribbon of green with doum palms and acacia to provide respite from the sun. Elephant, buffalo and waterbuck frequent the woodland, impala herds graze under the trees and Grevy's zebra, Beisa oryx, giraffe and gerenuk, lion, leopard and cheetah can all be found while up above martial eagles, bateleurs and pygmy falcons patrol the skies.
Northern Frontier
Kenya’s Northern Frontier covers huge tracts of the North and is the nations last great wilderness - full of extraordinary and contrasting landscape. Huge expanses of arid desert and semi-desert are inhabited only by nomadic pastoralists such as the Pokot, Turkana, Samburu and Soyei, living a life little changed for centuries. Camels walk along rutted dusty tracks alongside hardy cattle and their herders through miles of harsh unforgiving wilderness and desert-adapted animals abound with Grant's Gazelles, Gerenuk, Oryx and rare Golden Jackal particularly striking. In the midst, the Mathews mountain range rises out of the desert, covering approximately 1,000km² and rising to an altitude of 7500 ft. Stunningly picturesque and thickly forested, these mountains hide a range of wildlife including elephant and buffalo and are ideal for hiking. To the far North is the vast expanse of Lake Turkana, known as the "Jade Sea", surrounded by volcanic boulders and purple hills under a brilliant sky by day and star-bright nights. Lake Turkana is a 270 kilometre stretch of sparkling water where bio-diversity is at its best: ornithology, anthropology, archaeology, culture, fishing, game viewing, astronomy - a photographer's dream.
Laikipia
Laikipia is a plateau district North West of Mount Kenya in the Eastern part of the Rift Valley. The landscape includes open grasslands; acacia bush land, basalt hills, cedar forests and kopjes. This diverse habitat creates a good home for a variety of wildlife including over fifty percent of Kenyas Black and White Rhino population. The area is populated by several tribal communities including the Maasai, Kikuyu and Pokot. The area is also at the forefront of Kenya's eco-tourism movement with many of the properties in the area being community owned.
Coastal Kenya
Lapped by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, the coastal area in Kenya offers sun, sand, bustling cities and an UNESCO world heritage sites. Mombasa, Kenya's second largest city, is the centre of the coastal tourism industry and a good base for those wanting to explore the area. The town of Lamu is one of Kenya's oldest settlements and a traditional Swahili town. The town has an interesting history having undergone a Portuguese invasion and an Omani domination. It is protected as a UNESCO world heritage site and is a great place to take a step back in time. Lastly small coastal towns such as Malindi and Watamu offer serene beaches, quiet resorts and a Marine national park to explore.
Meru
Remote and alluring, Meru National Park covers 1,800 sq km, beginning in the foothills of Mount Kenya and extending southwards to the Tana River in eastern Kenya. It is best known as home to Elsa, the lioness reared by Joy Adamson and made famous in the film Born Free. It is extremely picturesque with numerous rivers and waterways and varied habitats of swamp, riverine forest and savannah, supporting a huge diversity of wildlife including lion, cheetah, elephant, some of Kenya’s largest herd of buffalo and black and white rhino. The rivers abound with hippo and crocodiles and the birdlife is abundant. Due to the lush vegetation, you have to work a little harder to spot wildlife, however the real beauty of Meru is that it still receives delighfully few tourists.
Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya’s mile-high capital is only 45km south of the equator. Founded by the British little more than a 100 years ago, the city now has a population of more than 2 million. It’s a cosmopolitan, lively, interesting and pleasantly landscaped. Its central business district is handily compact and it's a great place to tune into modern urban African life. Unfortunately, it's also a great place to get mugged. Originally little more than a swampy watering hole for Maasai tribes, Nairobi grew with the advent of the railway and had became a substantial town by 1900. Five years later it succeeded Mombasa as the capital of the British protectorate. Today it's the largest city between Cairo and Johannesburg.
Lake Naivasha and Lake Nakuru
Home to a wide variety of wildlife the Lake Naivasha is a fresh water lake situated in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya. With over 400 species of bird and a large colony of hippos the lake is a fascinating place for visitors. The main type of agriculture in the area is floriculture and fishing is also a form of employment. The Lake Nakuru is a smaller lake also situated in the Rift Valley and is famous for being one of the few soda lakes in the country. The abundant alga in the lake attracts millions of flamingo to the area every year in one of the greatest bird spectacles on earth. The lake and surrounding national park is also home to a wide variety of other flora and fauna including black rhino and cheetah.
Amboseli
Amboseli National Reserve, is set against a backdrop of Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro. The snow-capped peak of Mount Kilimanjaro rising above the clouds dominates every aspect of Amboseli. Set in Kenya's Rift Valley, close to the Tanzania border, this picturesque park encompasses dry lake beds, savannah woodland and extensive swamps constantly fed by springs emanating from the mountain. The water and seasonal lakes attract a wide variety of bird and animal life, in particular large herds of elephant. Amboseli is one of the best parks to observe family groups of elephants and iconic old bull with their long tusks at close quarters.
Marsabit
Marsabit is the last bit of civilisation in the vast desert of northern Kenya. The town is situated on an isolated million-year-old extinct volcano which rises almost a kilometre above the sea of desert and is surrounded by the 2,090 square kilometre Marsabit National Park and Reserve. The hills here are heavily forested unlike the desert beyond and views from the summit are fantastic - the whole area is dotted with extinct volcanoes and craters, or gofs, which have bubbled up and left these monuments to themselves. The people of Marsabit are a colourful ethnic mix of Rendille, Boran and Gabra.
Maralal
Maralal National Reserve is one of Kenya's little known treasures. Tucked away in the centre of the country amidst the Ol Doinyo Lenkiyo Mountains. Within the reserve's boundaries, eland, impala buffalo and zebra keep a watchful eye on predators such as the leopard and hyena. Seasonally, elephant pass through the reserve descending from the forested hills to the north.
Maralal from all directions gives a good panoramic view and its processions of wildlife sharing land with Samburu herders is fabulous. Related to the Masai further south, the Samburu warriors of Maralal dress in their traditional clothing live in a mutual dependence with the environment and wildlife around them. Maralal National Reserve receives relatively few visitors in relation to the Samburu reserves to the east despite its beautiful landscape and wide assortment of wildlife. This helps make it a truly enjoyable destination.
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Visa Information
British Nationals require a visa to enter Kenya.
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip, and it must have at least one blank page for each visa required.
Please note it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct visa documentation when starting your trip. Country entry regulations can alter daily and it is always best to check with the relevant embassies for any changes.
A single entry visa for costs US$50 at the time of writing, while multiple entry will cost US$100. These can be obtained on arrival, at the British Embassy or a visa company such as:
Travcour (UK)
Tempo House
15 Falcon Road Battersea
London
SW11 2PJ
Tel: 020 7223 5295
Fax: 020 7738 2617
Email: info@travcour.com
Website: www.travcour.com
If you are obtaining your visa before arrival you should apply no sooner than 8 weeks before departure. Should you wish to do this please let us know and we will supply you with all the relevant information.
Insurance:
Travel insurance is compulsory for anyone travelling on a Wild Frontiers Tour.
Clients should be aware that Wild Frontiers visit certain destinations and carry out some activities that are not always covered by many standard insurance policies. Because of this we strongly recommend that you purchase a policy that takes into account many of the unique factors that come from travelling with us.
We also appreciate that few people are experts in insurance shopping, so to make your life easier there is a ‘Wild Frontiers’ policy issued by Travel & General. This is split into two options, a Standard policy, since plenty of our tours and destinations visit stable areas, and an Elite policy for those trips which go to areas where the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) is advising against travelling to. On top of this there is also an option to extend the cover to include any claims that may arise from a terrorist attack in an area where the FCO is advising against.
This insurance is available for anyone up to the age of 75-years-old (after which additional quotes may be needed), and covers horse riding, mountain walking, trekking, white-water rafting and all other activities we offer as part of our tours. These policies are available to all residents of the UK and those residing within the EU.
The cover is underwritten by the International Insurance Company of Hannover Limited (IICH), who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). Wild Frontiers Limited is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Travel & General Insurance Company plc, details of which can be found at the FSA's website www.fsa.gov.uk.
To contact them please visit their website at www.travel-general.com or call 0845 408 0583.
Health and Vaccinations:
A Yellow fever certificate is currently recommended in Kenya. You should also be up-to-date with Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio and Hepatitis A & C. We strongly suggest that you visit your GP or travel medical centre to discuss your personal requirements.
Malaria:
Malaria is highly prevalent in Kenya. If you choose not to take malaria prophylactics you do so at your own risk and you should carry a course of tablets as a cure " Malarone is now considered the best cure but Quinine and Fansidar can also be used.
Prophylactic tablets are prescribed by your doctor and should be taken as directed. It is your responsibility to provide anti-malaria tablets and other preventative measures.
We also recommend:
• A dental check-up prior to travelling.
• You inform us now of any pre-existing medical conditions or medication.
To be on the safe side you can also check on www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk
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